Every child in custody is a looked after child. The local authority has duties towards looked after children. If a child charged with a serious offence is facing a custodial sentence, they would be deemed a “child in need”. With this, a section 17 needs assessment can be requested by anyone, in which the local authority is to determine what help or support may be required. The local authority has a duty to prepare a care plan for a “child in need”.
If a local authority does not meet their responsibilities a person can complain or challenge them in court.
